PLAILLY, France — Michael Johnson, who co-founded NEXO and served as its Managing Director until 2008, has passed away.
Establishing the company in 1979 in Paris, alongside Eric Vincenot and Thierry Tranchant, Michael “Micky” Johnson contributed to the expansion of NEXO, travelling the world and engaging with customers. A few years later, NEXO had conquered the French domestic market for high-quality P.A. systems. Over the following decades, Nexo developed its sound technology, gaining fame and trust around the world and becoming a leading brand in the field of high-output speaker systems for professional use in large concert venues, events, halls and theaters.
In June 2005, Yamaha purchased a 10.22% interest in NEXO, and entered into a strategic alliance with the company. NEXO and Yamaha then co-developed the NXAMP Powered Digital TD controller and joined forces to provide better system solutions for their clients. Eventually, Yamaha took steps toward making NEXO a wholly owned subsidiary of the Yamaha Group and acquired the remainder of NEXO’s shares on the market in 2008.Michael Johnson was not only an entrepreneur but also a patron of arts, music and theater and an avid art collector. He will be missed by his many friends both within and outside of the audio industry and will long be remembered for the legacy he leaves behind.
No word on a memorial service was available at press time.
